National magazine eyes Vallejo arts efforts

The Temple Art Lofts project is what first caught the eye of Preservation magazine, but upon a closer look, a larger story emerged about Vallejo, managing editor Meghan Drueding said.

In a seven-page article, the Preservation magazine's April edition features Temple Art Lofts, but also downtown Vallejo. It describes how affordable housing for artists is helping to revive the city following closure of Mare Island Naval Shipyard, and the city's 2008 bankruptcy.

Preservation is the monthly magazine for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private, nonprofit in Washington, D.C. that strives to save historic places and promote new uses for them.

Temple Art Loft's wining of the Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation initially drew interest, Drueding said. The story on Vallejo's downtown entitled "Artist Intent" is already posted on the trust's website and generating some buzz.

"What I loved about it is that it shows all the hope and potential in that's now in downtown Vallejo," said Bernadette Austin, Temple Art Lofts project manager of Domus Development.

"Sometimes, you forget that not too long ago things looked pretty bleak," she said.

Written by Bay Area freelancer Chris Warren, the article describes Vallejo's history, and its recent struggles with loss of businesses, bankruptcy and high vacancy rates downtown.

A good portion of the article focuses on the 29-unit Temple Art Lofts at the corner of Virginia and Marin streets and the story behind how Domus Development took two foreclosed and deteriorating buildings and restored them for affordable lofts for artists and others.

From its very earliest stages, Austin said Domus Development President Meea Kang envisioned combining historic restoration with arts as a way to inject new life into the downtown.

"We did see a lot of support for that," Austin said. "People in the community really wanted to see an art community thrive here," she added. Temple Art Lofts units are all filled with a waiting list of those wanting to move in, she said. A vendor for the first floor retail space has not yet been secured. Austin said she is talking to numerous prospective businesses interested in the space.

Warren's article also cites other historic buildings in Vallejo's downtown finding new life, including the Odd Fellows Hall that now houses The Hub arts center, the Artiszen Arts Center, and the Empress Theatre. The story also mentions Rar Farmer's Koham Press bookstore, Kent Fortner's plans to open a taproom, and the Vallejo Art Windows projects.

Art playing an instrumental role in revitalization can also be found in other areas, such as Detroit and New Orleans, Drueding said. "I do think that artist-oriented places can be an important part of revitalizing a place," she said.

The Preservation magazine is made available to the trust's members, and is not sold on news stands or in stores.

However, people can order a copy ($4.50 a piece) by calling 202-588-6388.

On the Internet the magazine can be found at www.preservationnation.org with its current articles posted. Here's a direct link to the story on Vallejo. Here is another link to a photo blog the trust did about Vallejo. Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@timesheraldonline.com or (707) 553-6832. Follow her on Twitter @SarahVTH.